$50 in 1968 is about $411 today so according to that catalog page pistol prices have actually deprecated somewhat, considering a basic .22 pistol can be had for less than $400. Rifles however have appreciated considerable amount. $79 in 1968 is worth something in the neighborhood of $630 today. That $79 30-30 Marlin today, if still in production, would cost more than $1,300 today. Then again a budget AR will cost you $600 or less so it's probably accurate to say that comparing contemporary to contemporary of the two periods firearms prices overall have remained remarkably consistent.
The real gun bargains of today would be the polymer striker fired pistols which offer considerable performance to value.